Fish and Wildlife Enforcement cautions public to keep off melting ice on ponds, waterways

DNREC Natural Resources Police, Division of Fish & Wildlife Enforcement Section, is urging the public to use caution or keep off melting ice on ponds and waterways.

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By Staff Reports

Dover Post

By Staff Reports

Posted Feb. 3, 2014 at 5:31 PM

By Staff Reports
Posted Feb. 3, 2014 at 5:31 PM

Dover, Del.

DNREC Natural Resources Police, Division of Fish & Wildlife Enforcement Section, is urging the public to use caution or keep off melting ice on ponds and waterways.

“Although the ice on your local pond may still look solid, recent above-freezing temperatures and rain in some areas have softened and weakened it, making it potentially unsafe to bear weight,” said Sgt. Gregory Rhodes of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement.

Should Delaware see more extreme cold that refreezes ponds, lakes and other waterways, Enforcement encourages those considering walking, ice fishing or skating on frozen waters to follow these tips:

- Avoid walking, ice fishing, skating or other activities on ice in tidal waters. Due to the rise and fall of tidal waters, surface ice formed on these waters is unstable and unsuitable for weight-bearing activities.

- Exercise extreme caution when venturing out onto freshwater ice, and always take a buddy who could provide or summon help in an emergency situation.

- Before venturing off the shoreline, examine freshwater ice carefully to determine its thickness and uniformity.

- For walking, freshwater ice should be a minimum of 2 to 3 inches thick, clear and sound, with no thin spots caused by springs or currents